KUALA LUMPUR - RRI reported that the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP2MI) helped bring home 33 migrant workers from Malaysia, last Wednesday.

BP2MI’s Director General of Empowerment, Muh. Fachri said 15 of the returnees arrived at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten  through a coordinated repatriation effort led by the Indonesian Consulate General in Penang.

“These are mostly women, and some are suffering from physical and mental health conditions that require further treatment,” Fachri said in a statement. 

Fachri said most of the workers were deported after being found in violation of Malaysia’s immigration laws.

“Many of them left Indonesia through unofficial channels and worked without proper documentation. 

“They were eventually detained by Malaysian police and immigration authorities. Those who served prison sentences will be blacklisted for five years, meaning they cannot return to Malaysia for work,” he said.

The repatriation involved three airports, with 15 people arriving in Jakarta, 16 in Kualanamu Airport, Medan and two in Sultan Iskandar Muda Airport, Aceh.

The group included individuals considered vulnerable due to illness, financial hardship, or long detention periods in immigration centers, some lasting more than six months.

Upon arrival, the returnees were taken to a shelter for physical and psychological check-ups.

Those who need medical treatment will be sent to the National Police Hospital, while others will be assisted in returning to their hometowns.

Several of the returnees were reported to be in poor health, and at least one was pregnant.

Fachri said BP2MI’s presence at the airport, together with the Directorate of Return and Rehabilitation, shows the government’s commitment to protecting its people.

“We are here to ensure the state stands by its people, supporting, accompanying, and helping them recover so they can reunite with their families and rebuild their lives,” he said.